The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
It's been up and down the last 7 to 8 years with my alcoholic wife, and the downs have been pretty low. Back before Christmas this past year, I almost walked away after another relapse. She has been sober since that time, attending regular meetings, and she has finally found a great therapist that seems to be helping out.
Last night, she told me a little about yesterday's therapy session. Her therapist was asking her lots of questions about our relationship and things we like to do together, things that make us happy -- and how those things have grown over almost 18 years of marriage. Then she told my wife, "I can't imagine how angry your husband must have been to have almost lost all of that to alcohol - his wife, his partner, his best friend and someone that he can have fun with."
Then she looked at me and said she was sorry. I was blown away.
Wow, that's great. I would probably start crying if my wife said that to me. She has been in recovery for 1 1/4 years, and still hasn't really said that. It would be hugely emotion for me, and I'm sure it was for you too.
I'm so happy that you have been able to experience that!
Have you been able to find an Al Anon meeting? It could help you even further with the anger, frustration and venting. And to understand if you have any part in it. I definitely have been able to vent, and also have grown a lot from self-discovery - there have been some times when I totally couldn't blame her for wanting to drink, our marriage was so poor. I know I didn't cause her to drink, but our marriage was causing major depression in both of us.
